Shaping Your Identity: The Transformative Power of Habit

Greetings, Thrive Guide Community!

As we journey further into the year, let's explore a deeper layer of habit formation that intertwines with our identity. Drawing from the wisdom of James Clear and Dan Siegel, we'll discover how each time we repeat a habit, it's not just an action, but a powerful building block of our neural pathways that reinforces or even reshapes our identity.

?Habits: Votes for Our Identity

In a podcast I recently listened to, James Clear beautifully articulated that every time we repeat the behavior of a habit, we also “cast a vote” for the type of person we aspire to be. He emphasized that habit change is really about the identities we can create for ourselves. Consider these examples:

• Instead of saying, "I am going to run a marathon," start with assuming the identity of I am someone who runs.
• Instead of aiming to lose 25 pounds, perhaps adopt the mindset and identity of someone who embraces a healthy lifestyle.

Selecting a word, or phrase that reflects what you value, and that's worth working towards, has the power to transform each rep of the habit into more than just something we do; it becomes an affirmation of our chosen identity, a deliberate step towards the person we are becoming.?

James Clear highlighted that the habits you're currently practicing are likely the ones you started developing six months, or even longer, ago. It's easy to overlook the gradual impact of our daily routines, but over time, these small actions accumulate, shaping our future identity.

?The Power of Attention and Neuroplasticity

Integrating Dan Siegel's wisdom, we recognize that "where attention goes, neural firing flows and neural connection grows." Engaging in a habit is not just an action; it's reinforcing neural pathways that solidify our new identity. This principle is grounded in the concept of neuroplasticity: neurons that fire together, wire together. Each small habit and focused moment is a step towards hardwiring the identity we value and aspire to embody.

?Small Steps, Significant Changes

Remember, it's about the small, consistent actions. Every conscious choice to engage in a habit aligned with your new identity reinforces that identity at a neural level. You're not just doing; you're becoming.

Planting the Seeds of Identity

A timeless piece of wisdom: "When is the best time to plant a tree? 20 years ago. When is the second best time? Now." This proverb reminds us that the best time to start shaping our 'tree of identity' was in the past, but the next best time is right now.

Each habit we embrace today plants a seed for the magnificent tree of identity we aspire to grow. It's never too late to begin nurturing this tree with actions and habits that align with our true selves. Every small step we take now is a crucial part of the growth we will see in ourselves in the future.

Your Invitation: The Four-Stage Step-Back Process

These insights align perfectly with our four-stage step-back process, encouraging us to consciously reflect and create habits that reflect our values and pave the way for the future selves we wish to embody.

1. Where Are You Now?: Examine your current habits. How are they reinforcing your current reality? Are they in sync with who you truly are?
2. Where Do You Want to Go?: Pick one aspect of your life to develop. What word or phrase describes who you want to be in this aspect?
3. How Do You Get There?: Focus on baby steps and daily habits that cast votes for your desired identity. What habit, if continuously acted upon, could help you start casting votes for who you want to be?
4. How Do I Stay on Track?: Start and continue your selected habit. They're not just actions but affirmations of your evolving self. The more you practice this habit, the more it reinforces your identity.

And… keep engaging in the 4-stage process: reflect, learn, tweak, and cast those votes, rewiring those neural pathways as you, step by step, reinforce who you truly are!

How can you further help yourself and others?

Feel free to share your insights or thoughts, and let's support each other on this continued journey.

Here's to noticing what's GREAT today!

Dave Sinclair